Storage and dispensing package for batteries and other objects

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, and includes at least the following components. A shell with a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and at least one dispenser opening. A cartridge for location within the hollow interior cavity of the shell, such that the cartridge can be removed and contained within the shell. The cartridge optionally includes a cartridge bell disposed about the cartridge plate, wherein the cartridge belt is capable of receiving the objects for storage and dispensing. Captured within the advancement slot of the shell is an advancement arm comprising a first end for selective advancement of the objects and a second end to allow for control over the advancement arm in advancing the objects towards the dispensing opening of the shell, and for control of the advancement arm in retracting the advancement arm after dispensing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to devices capable of dispensing solid materials,specifically a device capable of enclosing one or more uniformly arrayedobjects, temporarily adhered to or resting upon a cartridge belt, andsubsequently separated from the cartridge belt, and presented through anexit opening, one measure or quantity of solid matter, at a time,through the use of a manual advancement arm.

2. Description of Prior An

Hardware manufacturers, battery manufacturers, confectioners, andpharmaceutical companies, and others, commonly package parts, batteries,confections, cord, tubing screws, wire, tablets or capsules, and otheritems. Various packages are designed to contain a continuous product ora number of identical items, and to ease the removal (or dispensing) ofa single (or measured) quantity, at a time. Such packaging may alsoaddress issues of tamper-proofing, protecting and preserving orinactivating the contents.

Wire solder, for example, is commonly supplied, coiled on a spool orwound in a coil-shape. The user must pull and unroll a length of thesolder for use. Frequent difficulties with the present art are having toconstantly and awkwardly unroll more wire solder; as solderingcontinues, resulting in disruption of the soldering process Between thetimes of unrolling the wire solder, there is often either too much ortoo little wire solder available to the uses Support is lacking to holdthe wire solder steady for the user.

Many other delicate or elastic continuous confections or materialsrequire protection from distention or distortion. Therefore, the currentart often distributes a product, affixed to a backing material. The artcurrently does not provide an adequate means for detaching and handlingthe often small and delicate products.

It is often difficult to open the packaging and remove or dispense aspecific quantity of the objects, such as tablets and capsules, and manyother uniformly-shaped objects. Vitamin tablets are often eitherpackaged in a bubble-pack which requires peeling back or punching thetablet through a foil, paper, cardboard, or plastic membrane, in orderto obtain the tablet. Alternatively, these tables may be distributed injars, which require unscrewing a lid and shaking or pouring out thetablets, frequently dispensing more than the desired quantity. Bothmethods require several tasks which require two hands, may be difficultor cumbersome, and may be time-consuming. Both methods often result intablets being dropped out of the user's hand, or other intendedreceptacle.

In the example of air-activated hearing-aid batteries, a particularlyinteresting, sophisticated, demanding, and challenging application, anumber of methodologies have been applied to previous packaging efforts,in order to protect batteries from tampering and theft, preventdeterioration of the battery through premature energy loss, and allowthe user to remove only one batter at a time, instead of having tohandle or manage additional, unneeded batteries. Premature energy lossresults when the inner cell is exposed to the atmosphere throughbuilt-in air holes in the flat bottom surface, prior to installation inthe heating aid, when the air exchange is needed for optimal batteryperformance. Such loss is prevented by sealing the air-holes with piecesof specially-formulated, partially air-permeable sealant tape, called‘tabs’.

These batteries range in diameter from approximately 5 cm to 8 cm, ormore, and in height from approximately 2 cm to 6 cm, or more. Handlingof such batteries includes picking them up, pulling them loose from thesealant tabs or tape, viewing and orienting them, and positioning andplacing them in or out of a batter holder. These processes are difficultfor most humans, particularly for the (largely geriatric or handicapped)target population of hearing aid wearers.

Past approaches to packaging hearing aid batteries to transport, seal,and dispense such batteries, have included enclosing a row of three orfour batteries, placed upon, and retained by, a strip ofspecially-formulated partially air-permeable sealant tape, permanentlyaffixed to the inside base of a hinged plastic box.

This design suffered from the need for expensive fabrication processes,limited capacity (only three or four batteries fit within the case),lack of protection against tampering or fraudulent replacement of newbatteries with spent batteries (through realignment of battery tabs tobe used for batteries and placing these batteries in the case), and alack of space for informational and advertising materials on thepackage. Most significantly, though, was the need for the user to usehis or her fingers to pull out or pry out a battery, hold the smallbattery, and then place the battery properly oriented) into a hearingand battery door/battery holder, from either the side or the top,depending on the design of the battery door.

A subsequent offering retained the hinged box U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,091),but displaced the strip of sealant tape with batteries having individualsealant tabs on their flat surface. The batteries (tab side up) wereretained by pliable plastic vertical walls (on two opposite sides ofeach batter), integral to the base of the plastic box. Gould Corporationone of the earliest manufacturers of such batters, employed thispackaging with its ACTIVAIR and ACTIVAIR II lines of zinc-air batteries.This design suffered from the same difficulties in use of Gould'sprevious design, except that the user was now required to also pull offthe ‘tab’ from the flat side of the battery, gripping the ‘handle’ ofthe tab, which extended barely 0.5 cm beyond the edge of the battery, onone side, and dispose of the tab, before proceeding with batteryinsertion.

Presumably, the earlier Gould design suffered from awkwardness inseparating the battery from the strip, and possibly, from a failure ofthe adhesive strip (while it was mounted in the case) to allow thebattery to properly exchange air. The newer, current adhesive tabmaterial has been designed (and accepted industry-wide) to maintain thenecessary air-permeability. In addition, the original strip adhesive wasknown to degenerate with time, becoming messy, sticking (in part) to thebattery, and potentially subsequently interfering with proper batteryperformance and functioning within the hearing aid.

As the popularity of zinc-air batteries, increased, and additionalmanufacturers entered the market, most manufacturers standardized on thedesign of the tabs used to seal the batteries. The prevalent shape isnow a refinement of the tabs, originally used in the later Gouldoffering.

Some battery vendors, such as Starkey Laboratories, offer packages of asingle batter contained loosely within a round plastic ‘bubble’ (raisedcylindrical area), attached to a piece of cardboard. These are mostcommonly provided, along with a hearing aid, when the aid is returnedfrom being repaired or serviced. The customer removes the battery byprying open flaps (perforated strips cut into the cardboard back) andshaking out the battery. This packaging does provide a means ofidentifying and reducing tampering and fraud (by making it necessary forthe user to open the cardboard backing, in order to access the battery),and does provide a surface (on the cardboard) for labeling andadvertising—However, it does nothing to help a user handle, orient, orinsert the battery into his or her aid.

A variation employed in later ACTIVAIR, ACTIVAIR 2, and ACTIVAIR IIbatteries (from Duracell), was to package three batteries, arranged in atriangle, on the cardboard backing, spaced 5 mm or more from each other,and covered by a single plastic bubble (comprised of three smallbattery-sized cylinders, retaining the three batteries) and contoured,reduced-area, plastic, connecting the three pod-like bubble regions.

Although this packaging addressed concerns of tampering and fraud, as inthe single-battery bubble package, again it remained necessary for theuser to tear open each of the three perforated flaps in the cardboardbacking, in order to remove batteries. The user was still required tohandle the battery, remove the sealant tab, and manually orient andinsert the fresh battery into the hearing and battery door holder.

The next packaging style, the ‘dial-pak’, which has been adopted, withslight variations, by most current manufacturers of zinc-air hearingaids, including Duracell, Ray-O-Vac, Eveready, and others, wasoriginally employed for mercury batteries. Mercury batteriespredominated in the hearing aid battery market, prior to zinc-airbatteries rise in acceptance and use, due to environment, efficiency,and performance factors. Mercury battery packages had evolved into asingle unit, of overall cylindrical shape, containing a central hub. Thesmall hub is attached through a hole in the cardboard backing of thepackaging, allowing the plastic disk (the “dial”), having raisedcylindrical bubbles over each of the batteries, to be rotated. Aperforated cardboard flap is again employed on the back of the package,to allow the user access, from the rear, to the first battery. Access tosubsequent batteries is obtained by rotating the plastic dial unit abattery is aligned with the cardboard flap on the backing, and thenfolding back the flap, so that the battery can be dropped out of thepackaging.

A variation, using additional (and harder) plastic, has been used byDuracell. Here, the rotating bubble dial becomes a true cylinder, flaton its entire top face or surface, with internal curved plastic wallsemployed (cast or fabricated onto the flat face), to hold each batteryin position within the cylinder. Operation, however, is identical,although batteries are packaged tab-side-up, as opposed to tab-side-downon the other dial-paks.

Union Carbide (U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,767) developed a different dialvariation. In their design, the battery was removed through an exit holein the outside of the cylinder (instead of through a hole or perforationin the cardboard back of the packaging), when one rotated the dial sothat it was above one of the batteries. The battery was allowed to fallout through the outer shell, with the sealant tab still attached, as inprevious dial designs.

Shelby Paper Box Company (U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,700) also developed astandard cylindrical dial package, with the sole additions of a batterytester integrated into the packaging and provisions for inserting testprobes through holes provided in the packaging, top and bottom.

Eveready (U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,546) patterned alternative to the dial andbubble packaging, with a package having a straight or curved channel tohold batteries (with tabs attached), containing both entrance and exitholes, having one-direction barriers. Thus, the user would insert aspent battery in the entrance hole and simultaneously push out a freshbattery from the exit hole. The unit was proposed to handle a relativelysmall number of batteries (6) and was designed to be placed in anaccompanying, custom shell or case, to seal and protect it and thebatteries. This design suffered from the additional requirement of theuser having a spent battery, to insert into the one opening, in order toobtain a fresh one.

Another manufacturer, Varta (U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,455), patented avariant of the older bubble packaging, by placing all of the batterieson a single, centrally-anchored piece of sealant film or tab. As a userpushed the battery through perforations in the cardboard backing, theuser would also peel the battery loose from the tabbing material.Therefore, tab removal would presumably be easier than with the standardbattery tabs, and the tab material would not require separate disposal.

In spite of these minor changes, the central problems of handling (tabremoval, dropping, fumbling with, losing, and struggling to pick up) thetiny hearing aid batteries remain. In addition, all previously describeddesigns require the user to properly orient the battery, while keepingthe hearing aid battery door open, and then insert the battery from theside or top into the battery door holder on the battery door.

One battery manufacturer, Renata (U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,616), has producedalternative packaging, consisting of a bubble-pack, containing a numberof batteries (typically four, six and eight), fastened to a cardboardbacking. The required sealant tab(s) are affixed to the cardboardbacking. With this packaging, the user peels down a perforated cardboardflap, under the appropriate battery, and then pulls off the battery fromthe tab. The batteries are arranged in a row, above corresponding flapsunder plastic bubble packaging.

This design does provide some protection against tampering and theft,and does allow the user to perform the operation of separating thebattery from the sealant tab, at the same time as removing the batteryfrom the packaging. Unfortunately, separating the battery from thesealant tab on the cardboard is still a difficult task for many users.The disadvantages persist of requiring the user to handle the battery,and orient and insert the battery properly into the battery door.

Beltone (U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,890) patented a somewhat similar packagingidea, resembling a matchbook. Opening the cover, revealed a row ofseparate cardboard strips, with batteries affixed to tabs, which weresecured to the strips. The user would tear off one of the strips, at aperforation, and use the cardboard to hold the battery, instead ofholding the battery by the tab. One would still have to remove the tab,either before or after placing the battery into a battery door.Protection of the packaging and its contents was limited, and of course,the user had more than simply a tab to dispose of, following insertion,as the tab also had the piece of cardboard attached.

A recent Duracell patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,583) proposes a return tothe sort of hinged case with batteries retained in a base, that Gouldoriginally offered. Duracell, however, attempts to address the problemof battery tabs, by putting a single tab over all of the batteries inthe case, anchoring the tab material to the center of the base, andrequiring the user to remove a batter by lifting on the edge of the tabmaterial (thereby also lifting a battery up and out of its pocket in thebase) and then to peel the battery loose from the tab. Duracell alsonoted a potential advantage of this design, by allowingmachine-automated placement of batteries into the pockets in the base,instead of a traditional, labor-intensive manual process of packagingbatteries. Again, although this does reduce the nuisance of disposing oftabs, it does nothing to aid in the actual removal of tabs, nor thehandling of the battery by the user.

Another pair of patents assigned to Bausch and Lomb (U.S. Pat. Nos.5,117,977, and 5,199,565) are related to each other and describespecialized devices, having enclosed chambers containing freshbatteries, into which the opened battery doors of hearing aids areinserted. These devices attempt to reduce the requirement of a user tohandle hearing aid batteries and properly oriented them for insertioninto the battery door holder of a hearing aid. A separate chamber isrequired for each and every new battery, and must be additionallyfabricated to work for either a left-ear hearing aid or a right-earhearing aid. The user must present the hearing aid, with spent batteryin the door holder, to a specialized corresponding (left- or right-ear)removal chamber, and then either twist the aid or push a plungermechanism, in order to expel a used battery into a chamber, contained,within the dispenser.

Then, the user removes the aid and moves it to a separate specialized(left- or right-ear specific) dispensing chamber (or reveals a separatedispensing chamber), that has a fresh battery in it. Another operationis required to place a fresh battery into the door holder, after whichthe user removes the aid, without letting the new battery fall out ofthe door, and closes the battery door on the aid. For air-activatedbatteries, these designs propose to use a piece of plastic to completelyseal the bottom of the battery, as it is held in one of the chambers,awaiting dispensing, or to completely seal fresh battery chambers orreservoirs with a plastic seal. Once a dispenser has had all of thebatteries removed, the user is expected to return the entire unit to themanufacturer for servicing or refurbishing, which would include removalof the spent batteries from a chamber, possibly replacing or repairingparts and the tape sealant plastic, and installing new batteries intoeach of the dispensing chambers of the unit. While awaiting servicingand return of a dispenser, the user would need to purchase one (or two,if they were made left- and right-ear specific, instead of in acombination) additional dispenser. Also, the user might need to have twounits, anyway, if the user has consumed the batteries in the chambersfor one aid more rapidly than for the other.

These designs are complex, relatively bulky, cumbersome, and expensiveto fabricate, assemble, and manufacture. In addition, they require theuser to complete many steps, in proper sequence. They presume sales ofleft-, or right-ear-only packaging or combined-ear packaging, whichwould assume consumption of batteries at a comparable rate for bothaids. They assume that consumers and manufacturers (and distributors,who currently often play an important role in battery sales andinstallation) would find it worthwhile to reuse and recycle thedispensers. They assume that zinc-air batteries would maintain theirshelf or storage life, while secured by a plastic flap, instead of theindustry's common practice of using tabs. And they assume that hearingaid manufacturing would agree on some common styles and dimensions forhearing aid battery doors, such that aids from most manufacturers wouldwork properly with these devices, is without confusion or possiblejamming, or damaging the device or the user's hearing aid.

Finally, prior art includes battery insertion tools, which havesometimes been supplied with hearing aids by various hearing aidmanufacturers. These tools have consisted of a straight plastic staff orrod, containing an inserted or embedded cylindrical magnet on one end,and/or an integral brush (with which to dust and clean the hearing aid).Once the user has removed a battery and removed the sealant tab, thesedevices, while not addressing any packaging issues, are helpful forhandling the battery (picking up loose batteries, and extracting somebatteries from battery doors). However, batteries tend to freely shift,spin, or rotate on the magnet tip, adding to user difficulties ininsetting batteries.

Although several divergent approaches, as presented above, have beentaken to overcome the problems inherent in the storage, packaging, anddispensing of small objects such as zinc-air batteries, they all sufferfrom one or more of the following disadvantages:

a) They require the user to perform numerous sequential steps, in orderto place the object in the target device or intended location.

b) They require the user to visually identify and select an availablebattery for use.

c) They require the user to flip over the dispenser, losing assistanceof visual contact, necessary for accurate control of the object.

d) They require the user to pry open an often degradable cardboard flapto release a battery.

e) They require the user to either catch or pick up from a flat surfacethe battery from the package of dispenser.

f) They require the user to remove the tiny battery sealant tab from thebattery (in the case of zinc-air batteries), requiring use of two thumbsand two fingers, or pliers, tweezers, etc.

g) They require the user to dispose of the tiny battery sealant tab fromthe battery (in the case of zinc-air batteries).

h) They require the user to properly orient the often tiny batteries,while their own fingers obscure their vision.

i) They require the user to place the tiny batteries within the targetdevice without being able to see the battery well, because of theirfingers.

j) They do not facilitate one-handed, ergonomic operation, from allazimuths. (),

k) They are not conveniently dimensioned for carrying in a slacks orshirt pocket.

l) They use expensive fabrication processes (especially the designs likeBausch and Lomb's complicated removal and insertion machines).

m) They require size-specific packaging components for each size batteryor object.

n) They make it difficult for the manufacturing to scale the packagingto accommodate larger quantities, without drastically revising thepackaging and components.

o) They limit retail display options to hanging the dispensers by theattached cardboard backing.

p) They use expensive manual processes for some steps of the packagingaffixing tabs or inserting batteries into the packaging).

q) They offer the manufacturer or distributor little or no protectionagainst accidental or fraudulent user reinsertion of used or spentbatteries into the packaging (causing false complaints or productfailure).

r) They make no affordable or plausible provision for reusing orreloading the dispensing package and thereby fail to offer anon-disposable (refillable) option to the manufacturer and consumer.

s) They require the user to separate, pull, unroll, or manually peelaway backing material, in order to dispense many products (as in wiresolder, confections, screws, and antacids).

t) They make no provision for uniform and measured amounts of product tobe easily dispensed by the user (as in wire solder, confections, andshrink-tubing).

u) They make no provision to quickly and easily dispense a controlledquantity of objects (as in tablets and capsules).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple-to-usedispenser for users, including handicapped and geriatric populations,which dispenses one item (or predetermined quantity), with a single,one-handed motion, retaining control and visibility of the object,aiding in the movement of the object to the target device, receptacle,or location, and which is able to be inexpensively manufactured aseither a reusable or disposable product, capable of handling differentquantities and sizes of product through installation of alternativestrips or cartridges.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the following specification,drawings, and claims.

The present invention intends to overcome the difficulties encounteredheretofore. To that end, the present invention comprises a device forthe convenient storage and controlled dispensing of objects, andincludes at least the following components. A shell with a generallyhollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and at least one dispenseropening. A cartridge for location within the hollow interior cavity ofthe shell, such that the cartridge can be removed and contained withinthe shell. The cartridge may additionally include a cartridge beltdisposed about the cartridge, wherein the cartridge belt is capable ofreceiving the objects for storage and dispensing. Captured within theadvancement slot of the shell is an advancement arm comprising a firstend for selective advancement of the objects and a second end to allowfor control over the advancement arm in advancing the objects toward thedispensing opening of the shell, and for control of the advancement armin retracting the advancement arm after dispensing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the perspective view of a device without an advancement armand a perch for dispensing objects.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 including anadvancement arm and perch.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shell and cartridge of the device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cartridge and objects depicted inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shell of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shell of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shell of FIG. 6 including theadvancement arm.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cartridge plate of the devicedepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cartridge belt of the devicedepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a further perspective view of the cartridge of the devicedepicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative cartridge belt.

FIG. 12a is a perspective view of the perch of the device depicted inFIG. 1.

FIG. 12b is an elevational view of the perch depicted in 12a.

FIG. 12c is a side view of the perch depicted in FIG. 12a.

FIG. 12d is a perspective view of the advancement arm of the devicedepicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12e is a side view of the advancement arm depicted in FIG. 12d.

FIG. 12f is a top plan view of the advancement arm depicted in FIG. 12d.

FIG. 12g is a perspective view of an advancement arm with an alternativeyoke and base orientation.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 2 in afirst stage of operation, shown in partial cutaway.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 2 in asecond stage of operation, shown in partial cutaway.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 2 with aperch in a closed position, shown in partial cutaway.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 2 with analternative rear loading capability, showing the cartridge loading intothe shell, shown in partial cutaway.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 2 includingalternative guiderails, in a second stage of operation, shown in partialcutaway.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thedevice, shown in partial cutaway.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the device depicted in FIG. 18 with anobject displaced for deployment, shown in partial cutaway.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative shell showing acartridge ejection hole and guiderails.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an additional alternative device andadvancement arm.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the cartridge plate of the devicedepicted in FIG. 21 including a tablet and a piece of wire solder.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the cartridge bell of the devicedepicted in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a cartridge plate of the devicedepicted in FIG. 27 and a spool of wire solder.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a shell and advancement arm of thedevice depicted in FIG. 27.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the cartridge and advancement arm ofthe device depicted in FIG. 27 in operation with a spool of wire solderinstalled.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a further alternative device.

FIG. 28a is a rear side view of a rear opening in an alternative shellfor the device depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 28b is a top plan view of an alternative cartridge for the devicedepicted in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the Figures, FIG. 2 shows a device 10 for the convenient storage andcontrolled dispensing of objects 72 (preferably button-top zinc airbatteries). The device 10 includes a shell 14 shown in partial cutawayview. The shell 14 further comprises an advancement slot 18 and adispenser opening 12. The shell 14 is comprised of material of thenature of LUCITE. In general, the interior of the shell 14 consists of ahollow interior cavity, with a cartridge 29 locatable within thegenerally hollow interior cavity of the shell 14. The hollow interiorcavity of the shell 14 thereby removably contains the cartridge 29. Thecartridge 29 can be comprised of material similar to that of the shell14, or a more flexible material like that common to TUPPERWARE products.For example, the flexibility will ease the ability to install cartridgebelt 38 and to remove and insert the cartridge 29, and retains a memoryfor its original shape. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2, includes acartridge belt 38 disposable about the cartridge 29 and capable ofreceiving for semi-permanent storage and dispensing objects 72.Preferably, the cartridge belt 38 comprises a continuous loop disposedaround a cartridge plate 30 (see FIG. 10), wherein the cartridge plate30 of the cartridge 29 lies between a pair of siderails 32. Thesiderails 32 of the cartridge 29 provide for removable securement of thecartridge 29 within the hollow interior of the shell 14, this preventsthe cartridge 29, and the objects 72 contained thereon, from moving in adirection transverse to the direction of advancement. In other words,the cartridge 29 captured in this manner preferably allows for cartridgebelt 38 movement only in the direction towards the dispenser opening 12of the shell 14. See also, FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 which show in greaterdetail the constituent components of the cartridge 29 in relationship tothe objects 72 (in the case of FIG. 4). The cartridge 29 also includes arecess notch 36, whereby the cartridge belt is recessed away from thesiderails 32. This allows for separation of the cartridge belt 40 fromboth the perch 46 and the rear of the shell 14.

The shell 14 of the device 10 also includes an advancement slot 18 forcapture of an advancement arm 58. FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 show best theoperational communication between the shell 14 and the advancement arm58 of the device 10. FIGS. 12d-g show the advancement arm 58individually from various perspectives. The advancement arm 58 includesa first end 59 for the selective advancement of the objects, and asecond end 61 which allows for control of the advancement arms 58 inadvancing the objects toward the dispenser opening 12 of the shell 14during the operation of the device 10. Additionally, the second end 61of the advancement arm 58 also allows for control in retracting theadvancement arm 58 after dispensing. The first end 59 of the advancementarm 58 further comprises a base 65 which includes a magnetic insert 68and an object support 64. In this embodiment, the first end 59 of theadvancement arm 58 can directly engage and advance the objects 72through contact with the base 65. In the case of, for example, zinc airbatteries, the object support 64 can physically engage the object 72while the magnetic insert 68 can magnetically engage the object 72 foradvancement. The advancement arm 58 also includes a yoke 63. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 12d-g the yoke 63 comprises a split yoke lyingbetween the base 65 and the second end 61 of the advancement arm 58. Theyoke 63 splits in two halves providing an opening there between ofsufficient separation to straddle the objects 72 during engagement.Further, the second end 61 of the advancement arm 58 also includes athumb rest 60 shaped and positioned for convenient operation of theadvancement arm 58 in advancing and retracting by the thumb of a user.FIG. 12e shows that the position of the thumb 60 and the lock support 62provides a notch to allow the thumb 60 to releasably engage with theadvancement slot 18. In this manner, the thumb 60 of the advancement arm58 locks against the advancement slot 18 by capturing the rearward endof the advancement slot 18 between the thumb 60 and the lock support 62.Of course, the advancement arm 58 unlocks merely by forward movement ofthe advancement arm 58 away from the rearward section of the advancementslot 18. In other words, the advancement arm 58 slides within theadvancement slot 18 of the shell 14 to accomplish the advancing,retracting, and locking of the advancement arm 58 within the advancementslot 18.

FIG. 12g shows a variation in the advancement arm 58. In contrast to theadvancement arm 58 shown in FIGS. 12d-f, the yoke 63 of the advancementarm 58 shown in FIG. 12g orients in a different manner with the base 65.The two split prongs of the yoke 63 show in FIG. 12g, combine with thebase 65 at a position closest to the object support 64. By contrast, theprongs of the yoke 63 shown in FIGS. 12d-f combine with the upperportion of the base 65. The advantage of the advancement arm 58 shown inFIG. 12g comprises creating a more planer bottom profile for theadvancement arm 58 and protrusion of the rod magnet 68 through the thumbadvance slot 18 of the shell 14. Shown best by comparing FIG. 12e withFIG. 12g, the advancement arm 63 of FIG. 12g presents a more planerrelationship between the yoke 63 and the base 65. This allows for moreclearance over the objects 72 when retracting the advancement arm 58.

The device 10 also includes a perch 46, shown individually in FIGS.12a-c. The perch 46, generally triangular in shape, preferably hingeablyattaches to the lower portion of the advancement opening 26 of the shell14. For example, FIG. 2, and FIGS. 13-17 show the perch 46 attached tothe shell 14 through hinge protrusion 48 which extend from the perch 46into hinge holes 22 located in the shell 14. The perch 46 also includesa support shoulder 52 located adjacent to the hinge protrusions 48 tostabilize the perch 46 when in the dispensing position (see FIG. 2).Configured in this manner, the perch 46 not only provides for removablecontainment of the cartridge 29 but also provides a smooth transitionfor receipt of the object 72 upon advancement prior to dispensing.

In order to facilitate functional operation of the device 10 with zincair batteries designed for use with hearing aids, the cartridge belt 38includes an adhesive surface 40. The adhesive comprises a material ofthe nature of battery sealant tabs, or the like. Again, the zinc airbatteries activate upon exposure of holes in the bottom side of thebatteries to air. Thus, to avoid unnecessary power loss during storagerequires covering the perforations until a time just prior toinstallation. The adhesive surface 40 of the cartridge belt 38 preservesan appropriate seal between the cartridge belt 38 and the zinc airbatteries. The adhesive surface 40 also eliminates the need forindividual tabs used by prior devices. The tabs prove difficult toremove and to install during manufacturing.

The following, according to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, describes the operationof the embodiment of the device 10 just described. FIG. 13 shows theadvancement arm 58 engaged with an object 72. The advancement arm 58located rearward in the advancement slot 18 allows for forward movement.Forward movement of the advancement arm 58 by extending a forward forceon the thumb rest 60 advances the object 72 and thereby the cartridgebelt 38, by virtue of the adhesive engagement between the object 72 andthe adhesive surface 40 of the cartridge belt 38. Advancing theadvancement arm 58 in the advancement slot 18 towards the dispenseropening 12 brings the object 72 toward, and eventually in contact with,the perch 46. At this point, the adhesive surface 40 moves downward andaway from the bottom of the object 72, thereby separating the object 72from the adhesive surface 40 of the cartridge belt 38 and fully onto theperch 46 in the manner depicted in FIG. 144. In this position, the base65 of the advancement arm 58 engages the object 72 both physically withthe object support 64 and magnetically with the magnetic insert 68. Atthis point, continued pressure on the thumb rest 60 of the advancementarm 58 maintains the object 72 on the perch 46. In the case of; zinc airhearing aid batteries this position allows for easily loading the object72 into the battery compartment of a hearing aid. Since the base 65 ofthe advancement arm 58 maintains magnetic and physical contact with theobject 72 the device 10 can be rotated into any position while stillmaintaining the orientation of the object 72 on the perch 46. Thetriangular shape of the perch 46, and the object 72 positioned on thetapered end of the perch 46 along with the narrow shape of the first end59 of the advancement arm 58 allows for sufficient room to maneuver theobject into the desired position or location. This provides stabilityfor very small objects like zinc air hearing aid batteries which areparticularly difficult to handle, especially for elderly or infirmedindividuals who in many cases comprise the primary uses of such items.

After placing the object 72 in its desired location, pressing down andback on the thumb 60 of the advancement arm 58 raises the advancementarm 58 for retraction within the advancement slot 18 of the shell 14. Inthis position, the yoke 63 and the base 65 of the advancement arm 58 lieabove the remaining objects 72, and sliding the thumb rest 60 of theadvancement arm 58 rearward in the advancement slot 18 places theadvancement arm in a position to either advance the next object 72, orlock the retraction lock support 62 in place within the advancement slot18 for storage.

FIG. 15 shows a preferred storage position, wherein the advancement arm58 locks in place and the perch 46 flips upward in a position coveringthe dispenser opening 12.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the fact that theinvention so far disclosed can and will vary without departing from thescope of the invention. For example, FIG. 18 shows an alternateembodiment of the device 100 which differs from the embodimentpreviously disclosed in the following manner. The device 100 includes agenerally hollow shell 14 with a dispenser opening 12. The shell 14differs most notably from the previous embodiment, in that the shell 14contains no advancement slot. Additionally, the device 100 includes acartridge belt 38, including an adhesive surface 40 for containing theobject 72. The cartridge belt 38 lies within the generally hollowinterior cavity of the shell 14 and is positioned for removablecontainment therein. The cartridge belt 38 depicted in FIG. 11 comprisesa segmented belt in contrast to the continuous cartridge belt 38 shownelsewhere. The cartridge belt 38, with the adhesive surface 40, (alsodepicted in FIG. 11) includes a free end 54. The free end 54 fitsthrough a dispenser strip slot 16. The device 100 also includes a perch44, preferably fixed, engaged with the shell 14 at the dispenser opening12. The perch 44 includes a magnetic insert 50 capable of magneticengagement with the objects 72 upon advancement of the objects 72 fromthe adhesive surface 40 of the cartridge belt 38 onto the perch 44.Advancement of the object 72 is accomplished by applying a force to thefree end 54 of the cartridge belt 38 thereby advancing the object 72onto the perch 44 and in contact with the magnetic insert 50, in themanner shown in FIG. 19. The object 72 held in magnetic engagement withthe perch 44 is ready for insertion into its designated receptacle inthe manner previously described.

FIG. 20 shows another alternative contemplated herein. In FIG. 20 ashell 14 includes an ejection hole 26, in the form of a generally roundhole in the bottom of the shell 14. Operation utilizing the shell 14generally follows the procedures described herein and above, except thatthe cartridge plate 30 may be ejected or displaced through upwardpressure on the cartridge plate 30 applied by a pencil or other objecttool (not shown) inserted through the ejection hole 26.

The embodiment of the shell 14 shown in FIG. 20 also shows anotheralternative design involving the user of guiderails 28. The guiderails28 comprise inwardly extending ridges or protrusions that extend alongthe entire longitudinal axis of the shell 14. The guiderails 28 providefurther releasable containment of the cartridge 29. Additionally, theguiderails 28 work particularly well with rear-loading embodiments ofthe shell 14, wherein the shell 14 further comprises a cartridgeinsertion opening 104 like those shown in FIGS. 16 and 28a. Thecartridge insertion opening 104 is located opposite to the dispenseropening 12 and allows for rear insertion and removal of the cartridge29.

Referring to FIG. 20, the guiderails 28 actually comprise a narrowing ofthe width of the shell 14. The guiderails 28, shown partially in anunbroken line and partially in a double dashed phantom lines in FIG. 20,represent a break in the sides of the shell 14. Above the guiderails 28the width of the shell 14 is thicker than below the guiderails 28. Thisforms a ridge or shelf to contain the cartridge 29. Also, diagonalsingle dashed phantom lines in FIG. 20 show that the rearward sectionsof the guiderails 28 comprise an inwardly extended triangular portion.In other words, the intersection of the single dashed and double dashedphantom lines shown in FIG. 20 represents a generally triangular pointthat serves to guide a front loaded cartridge 29 downward into the ridgeor shelf formed on the shell 14 by the guiderails 28.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28a, and 28b, thecartridge plate 30 also includes a notched flange 102 designed forcapture between the mated upper shoulder 106 and the lower shoulder 108of the rear insertion opening 104. In this manner, the cartridge plate30 inserts through the rear insertion opening 104. The notched flange102 straddles the upper shoulder 106, while the lower portion of thecartridge plate 30 rests on top of the lower shoulder 108. Additionally,the upper portion of the rear insertion opening 104 is rounded to betterprovide clearance for the rounded tops of the objects 72. An additionalenhancement of this embodiment of the shell 14 includes tapering theguiderails 28 in an upward arch, from the end opposite to the insertionopening 104. This allows for easy insertion of the cartridge 29, and forguiding the cartridge downward during insertion.

FIGS. 21-23 show still another embodiment of the invention, preferablyfor dispensing tablets 74. FIG. 21 shows a device 150 which includes ashell 14 semi-oval in shape, rather than rectangular. The shell 14,however, despite its shape functions in the same manner describedherein-above. The device 150 contains an advancement arm 58 comprised ofa double pronged split yoke 63. The double pronged split yoke 63includes two prongs joined together at the second end 61 of theadvancement arm 58, but separated at the first end 59 of the advancementarm 58. Thus the advancement arm 58 includes dual supports 64 foradvancement of the objects 74. Additionally, FIG. 22 shows that thedevice 150 also includes a cartridge plate 30 of a shape similar to theshape of the shell 14, for insertion within the shell 14. The cartridgeplate 30 includes a cartridge belt recess notch 36 at a closed end ofthe cartridge plate 30, opposite to a rounded end of the cartridge plate30. Disposed about the cartridge plate 30 is a cartridge belt 38 (FIG.23), also of a shape corresponding to that of the cartridge plate 30 andthe shell 14. The cartridge belt 38 includes separators 42 therebydividing the cartridge belt into individual compartments designed forcarrying individual objects 74. The device 150 preferably dispensesindividual doses or allotments of objects 74 placed within the shell 14.Advancing the thumb rest 60 of the advancement arm 58 engages the endsof the supports 64 with the separators 42, and advances the cartridgebelt 38 upon sliding the advancement arm 58 forward in the advancementslot 18. Sweeping the cartridge belt forward in this manner, capturesobjects 74 within the compartments created by the separators eventuallydispensing the objects 74 from the dispenser opening 12. This embodimentworks well with, for example, candies or confectioneries, medicinetablets, vitamins, or any other similarly shaped objects preferablydispensed in an individual manner.

FIGS. 24-27 show yet another embodiment. In particular, FIG. 27 shows adevice 200 comprised of a shell 14 which includes an enclosed generallyhollow interior cavity 82 having a dispenser opening 12, and anadjoining partially enclosed portion 80 which includes an advancementslot 18. The device 200 also includes a cartridge plate 30 configured insubstantially the same manner as the cartridge plate 30 shown in FIG.22. The cartridge plate 30 includes a closed rectangular end opposite toa generally open circuit end. The cartridge 30 removably secures withinthe partially enclosed portion 80 of the shell 14 and also includes amaterial feed slot 34. The cartridge 30 includes sufficient interiorclearance to contain, for example, a spool of solder 70. This allows forfeeding the solder 76 through the material feed slot 34, through thepartially enclosed portion 80 of the shell 14, and finally into theenclosed generally hollow interior cavity 82 of the shell 14 and out thedispenser opening 12. An advancement arm 58, captureable within theadvancement slot 18 of the shell 14, advances the material outwardtoward and through the dispenser opening 12. The advancement arm 58includes a second end 61 with a thumb rest 60 to allow for control overthe advancement arm 58 in advancing the material towards the dispenseropening 12 during dispensing, and for similar control over theadvancement arm 58 in retracting. The advancement arm 58 includes asingle piece yoke 63 joining together the first end 59 and send end 61of the advancement arm 58. Additionally, the first end 59 of theadvancement arm 58 includes a base 65 comprised primarily of an objectsupport 64 and an advancement blade 66. FIG. 26 shows that the wiresolder 76 passes through an opening in the first end of the advancementarm 58 created between the object support 64 and the advancement blade66. Thus, downward and forward pressure on the rest 67 of theadvancement arm 58 engages the advancement blade 66 with the wire solder76. Sliding the advancement arm 58 forward in the advancement slot 18dispenses the wire solder through the dispenser opening 12. In anopposite manner, upward and rearward force applied to the thumb rest 60of the advancement arm 58 disengages the advancement blade 66 from thewire solder 76 and allows the advancement arm 58 to retract withoutcapturing the solder 76.

The foregoing description and drawing comprise illustrative embodimentsof the present invention. The foregoing embodiments and the methodsdescribed herein may vary based on the ability, experience, andpreference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of themethod in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on theorder of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawingsmerely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is notlimited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Thoseskilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able tomake modifications and variations therein without departing form thescope of the invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 22 the device 150can also dispense shrink tubing 78 in a manner similar to that describedfor dispensing wire solder 76. The present invention avoids the problemof pulling and stretching the shrink tubing 78 experienced with priordevices.

We claim:
 1. device for the convenient storage and controlled dispensingof objects, said device comprising: a) a shell comprising a generallyhollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, and a dispenser opening; b)a cartridge plate locatable within said generally hollow interior cavityof said shell and removably contained therein; c) a cartridge beltdisposable on or about said cartridge plate and capable of receiving theobjects for storage and dispensing on said cartridge belt; and d) anadvancement arm captureable within said advancement slot of said shell,comprised of a first end for selective advancement of the objects, and asecond end to allow control over the advancement arm in advancing theobjects toward said dispenser opening for dispensing and for controlover the advancement arm in retracting said advancement arm afterdispensing.
 2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcartridge belt is continuously disposed about said cartridge plate. 3.The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cartridge beltfurther comprises an adhesive surface for the releasable securement ofthe objects.
 4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcartridge belt further comprises Separators separators for the captureof individual objects.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 4wherein said first end of said advancement arm further comprises adouble pronged split-yoke for engaging said separators of said cartridgebelt thereby advancing the objects.
 6. The invention in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said advancement arm slides within said advancement slotof said shell to accomplish said advancing and retracting.
 7. Theinvention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first end of saidadvancement arm engages with the objects to accomplish said selectiveadvancement of the objects.
 8. The invention in accordance with claim 7wherein said first end of said advancement arm further comprises a basehaving a magnetic insert for physical and magnetic engagement with theobjects.
 9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said firstend of said advancement arm further comprises a split-yoke of sufficientseparation to straddle the objects during engagement, said split-yokelying between said base and said second end of said advancement arm. 10.The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second end of saidadvancement arm further comprises a locking thumb for releasableengagement with said advancement slot of said shell, and for convenientadvancing and retracting when released therefrom.
 11. The invention inaccordance with claim 1 further comprising a perch engaged with saidshell proximate to said dispenser opening for supporting the objectsafter advancing and during dispensing of the objects.
 12. The inventionin accordance with claim 11 wherein said perch is hingeably engaged withsaid shell.
 13. The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidperch further comprises a magnet for magnetic engagement and support ofthe objects.
 14. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidcartridge further comprises: a) a cartridge plate wherein said cartridgebelt is disposed thereabouts; and b) a pair of side rails disposed oneither side of said cartridge plate thereby preventing movement of saidcartridge belt in a direction transverse to the direction of advancing.15. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shell furthercomprises a cartridge insertion opening opposite to said dispenseropening for insertion and removal of said cartridge plate.
 16. Theinvention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shell furthercomprises a pair of retention guides interiorly disposed to releasablycontain said cartridge plate.
 17. The invention in accordance with claim1 wherein dispenser opening of said shell comprises a an ejection holeof sufficient diameter to allow for insertion of a tool to eject saidcartridge plate.
 18. A device for the convenient storage and controlleddispensing of objects, said device comprising: a) a shell comprising agenerally hollow interior and a dispenser opening; b) a cartridgelocatable within said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell andremovably contained therein; c) a cartridge belt disposable on or aboutsaid cartridge plate and capable of receiving the objects for storageand dispensing on said cartridge belt, said cartridge belt having a freeend wherein a force applied to said free end advances the objects; andd) a perch engaged with said shell proximate to said dispenser openingand having a magnetic insert capable of magnetic engagement with theobjects upon advancement of the objects.
 19. A device for the convenientstorage and controlled dispensing of a material, said device comprising:a) a shell comprising an enclosed generally hollow interior cavityhaving a dispenser opening and a plurality enclosed portion having anadvancement slot; b) a cartridge removably contained within saidpartially enclosed portion of said shell having a material feed slot,and an open interior for retaining said material to allow for feedingthe material through said feed slot; and c) an advancement armcaptureable within said advancement slot of said shell, comprised of afirst end for selective advancement of the material, and a second end toallow control over the advancement arm in advancing the material towardsaid dispenser opening for dispensing and for control over theadvancement arm in retracting said advancement arm after dispensing. 20.A method for the convenient storage and dispensing of objects, saidmethod comprising: a) providing a device comprising: i) a shellcomprising a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot, anda dispenser opening; ii) a cartridge locatable within said generallyhollow interior cavity of said shell; iii) a cartridge belt disposableabout said cartridge plate; and iv) an advancement arm captureablewithin said advancement slot of said shell, comprised of a first end anda second end; b) storing the objects on said cartridge belt of saidcartridge plate; c) inserting for removable containment said cartridgeinto said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell; d) advancingthe objects with said first end of said advancement arm toward saiddispenser opening of said shell through extension of a force on saidsecond end of said advancement arm; e) dispensing the objects therefrom;and f) retracting said advancement arm through extension of a force onsaid second end of said advancement arm.
 21. A device for the convenientstorage and controlled dispensing of objects, said device comprising:(a) a shell comprising a top, a sidewall and a generally hollow interiorcavity, an advancement slot in said top, and a dispenser opening in saidsidewall; (b) an object support locatable within said generally hollowinterior cavity of said shell and contained therein; (c) said objectsupport being capable of receiving objects for storage and dispensingand including an adhesive material for the releasable securement of saidobjects; and (d) an advancement member capturably received within saidadvancement slot of said shell, said advancement member including afirst portion for the advancement of the objects and a second portionthat allows control over the advancement member in advancing the objectstoward said dispenser opening for dispensing and for control over theadvancement member in retracting the advancement member afterdispensing.
 22. An invention in accordance with claim 21 wherein saidsupport and said shell are moveable relative to each other.
 23. Aninvention in accordance with claim 22 wherein said object supportfurther includes a separate member which supports said adhesivematerial.
 24. An invention in accordance with claim 22 wherein saidadvancement member slides within said advancement slot of said shell toaccomplish said advancing and retracting.
 25. An invention in accordancewith claim 22 wherein said objects are zinc air batteries and whereinrelease of said batteries from said adhesive of said adhesive materialinitiates activation of said batteries.
 26. An invention in accordancewith claim 21 wherein said object support further includes a separatemember which supports said adhesive material.
 27. An invention inaccordance with claim 21 wherein said advancement member slides withinsaid advancement slot of said shell to accomplish said advancing andretracting.
 28. An invention in accordance with claim 21 wherein saidfirst portion of said advancement member engages with the objects toaccomplish said selective advancement of the objects.
 29. An inventionin accordance with claim 21 wherein said device is configured such thatsaid adhesive material and said object are caused to diverge indirection during the dispensing of each said object such that saidadhesive material is peeled away from said object during the dispensingoperation.
 30. An invention in accordance with claim 21 wherein saidadvancement member operates to dispense one object per advancementoperation.
 31. A device for the convenient storage and controlleddispensing of objects, said device comprising: (a) a shell comprising atop, a sidewall and a generally hollow interior cavity, an advancementslot in said top, and a dispenser opening in said sidewall; (b) anobject support locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity ofsaid shell and contained therein; (c) said object support being capableof receiving objects for storage and dispensing and including anadhesive material for the releasable securement of said objects; (d) anadvancement member capturably received within said advancement slot ofsaid shell, said advancement member including a first portion for theadvancement of the objects and a second portion that allows control overthe advancement member in advancing the objects toward said dispenseropening for dispensing and for control over the advancement member inretracting the advancement member after dispensing; and (e) a perchengaged with said shell proximate to said dispenser opening forsupporting the objects after advancing and during dispensing of theobjects.
 32. An invention in accordance with claim 31 wherein said perchfurther comprises a magnet for magnetic engagement in support of theobjects.
 33. An invention in accordance with claim 31 wherein said perchis hingedly engaged with said shell.
 34. An invention in accordance withclaim 31 wherein said device is configured such that said adhesivematerial and said object are caused to diverge in direction during thedispensing of each said object such that said adhesive material ispeeled away from said object during the dispensing operation.
 35. Amethod for the convenient storage and dispensing of objects, said methodcomprising: (a) providing a device comprising: (i) a shell comprising atop, sidewall, generally hollow interior cavity, an advancement slot insaid top, and a dispenser opening in said sidewall; (ii) an objectsupport locatable within said generally hollow interior cavity andincluding an adhesive material; and (iii) an advancement member receivedwithin said advancement slot of said shell, said advancement memberincluding a first portion and a second portion; (b) storing the objectson said adhesive material of said object support; (c) inserting saidobject support into said generally hollow interior cavity of said shell;(d) advancing the objects with said first portion of said advancementmember toward said dispenser opening of said shell through exertion of aforce of said second portion of said advancement member; (e) dispensingthe objects therefrom; and (f) retracting said advancement memberthrough exertion of a force on said second portion of said advancementmember.
 36. A method as in claim 35, wherein said object supportcomprises a separate adhesive-carrying member and wherein said shell andsaid object support are moveable relative to each other, said methodcomprising the step of causing said adhesive-carrying member and saidshell to move relative to each other prior to the dispensing of each ofsaid objects.
 37. A method as in claim 36 including the step of causingsaid adhesive carrying member and each said object to diverge indirection during the dispensing of each said object such that saidadhesive carrying member is peeled away from said object.